My truck has been to the dealer twice for a check engine light. The last visit they said the condition is so intermittent that it would be best to just drive it until it happens more often so they can diagnose it. It would be OK if the truck didn't drive in limp mode while the service light is on -no mds, very soft shifting, poor economy. So this weekend it happened again and I'm getting tired of it. Apparently the dealer can't replace anything unless the diagnostic computer sees the issue when they test. (they do see the code recorded in the truck's computer so they know I am not crazy).

I expressed interest in changing the coil myself. They were really adamant about me not doing it myself. Why? For $30 or $40 I would be happy to put this issue to bed. It is a likely culprit -the most likely seeing the truck has only 6k miles.

 

NUMBER: 18-011-12
GROUP: Vehicle Performance
DATE: March 15, 2012

SUBJECT:
Flash: MIL Illumination With Transmission And Driveability Improvements
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves flash reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new
software.
MODELS:
2009 (HB) Durango
2009 (HG) Aspen
2010 (DJ) Ram 2500 Pickup
2009 - 2010 (DS) Ram 1500 Pickup
2009 - 2010 (DH) Ram 2500 Pickup
2009 - 2010 (DC) Ram 3500 Cab Chassis
2009 - 2010 (ND) Dakota
NOTE: This Service Bulletin applies to HB/HG/DJ/DS/DH/DC/ND vehicles equipped
with a 3.7L, 4.7L or 5.7L engine (Sales Code EKG, EVE, EZC, EZD or EZH) and
a 4 speed 42RLE or 5 speed 545RFE or 6 speed 68RFE automatic
transmission (Sales Code DGV, DGQ or DG7).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon
further investigation the Technician may find that any of the following Diagnostic Trouble
Codes (DTC's) have been set.
i. P050D - Cold Start Rough Idle
ii. P2181 - Cooling System Performance has been set
iii. P0935 - Line Pressure Sensor Circuit High All RFE transmissions
iv. P0300 through P0308 - Multiple and Single Cylinder Misfire. This condition can
occur when the vehicle is started cold and the driver immediately places vehicle in
drive and applies heavy throttle.
Driveability and Transmission improvements are also included with this software
release. These changes consist of the following:
a. Enhanced clutch protection for more robust torque management during repeated
fore and aft movement (rocking vehicle) all engines.
b. A revised torque convertor lockup schedule that will reduce transmission
temperatures in Tow/Cruise mode All models equipped with RFE transmission.
c. A Clunk sound or feel a shudder when the cruise control resume switch is pressed.
This condition is most noticeable after the brakes were pressed to cancel cruise
control and then the resume switch is pressed All models equipped with RFE
transmission.
d. A shudder or shaking feeling when a wide open throttle (WOT) event is performed
by the customer. This is most noticeable after the transmission downshifts during the
WOT event. This condition will stop once the transmission upshifts All models
equipped with RFE transmission.
e. A shudder or shaking feeling when accelerating from a stop under moderate throttle.
This condition will stop once the transmission upshifts All models equipped with
RFE transmission.
f. A shudder or shaking feeling after the transmission downshifts. This condition will
stop once the RPM's drops All models equipped with RFE transmission.
g. Harsh or noisy natural to reverse shiftsAll models equipped with RFE
transmission.
h. Harsh 4-3 downshifts. This condition happens when there is no throttle applied and
the vehicle is coasting down.All models equipped with RFE transmission.
i. Harsh 1-2 upshifts. This condition happens under moderate or heavy throttle
conditions All models equipped with RFE transmission.
j. Engine knock condition. This condition could happen when a wide open throttle
(WOT) event is performed or cruising at 5400 RPM or above All models equipped
with RFE transmission.
k. Hard start or long crank condition at 0° F (-17° C).all 5.7L DS and DJ models
equipped with RFE transmission.
Reprogramming the PCM will correct the DTC conditions listed above.

 

Pedro you got me all excited, but does not apply to my 2012. My condition does seem to happen when the engine is somewhat cold (within 5 miles of starting cold). Last time it happened 1.5 miles from the house.

The truck drives very soft in limp mode. VERY soft shifts, very smooth, too smooth. It holds rpm much higher during normal driving which kills economy. Drives like my old Chevy actually.

But will it affect the warranty of I replace the coil for the offending cylinder myself (with a dodge coil obviously?).

 

They should be making SOME sort of attempt. Intermittent or not. Did they even swap a coil and plug from a different cylinder to rule it out? They CAN charge Chrysler for diag time in that respect. I can understand not throwing a PCM or something at it, but some things CAN be ruled out without parts.

My first attempt would be swap the plug from one cylinder and the coil from another cylinder. See which one logs the misfire next. If it's just the same one again then you would be looking at a coil or injector driver (or the circuit) or even a MDS solenoid or lifter.

They can also install redundant overlays on the injector driver and the coil driver circuits (of the offending cylinder) from PCM to actuator. After the swaps or overlays, you can take it and drive it or they can send someone to go put miles on it. They also need to take the freeze frame data into account when road testing it to duplicate it.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should they erase the codes or disconnect the battery. This will only disable the misfire monitor and that will leave a large window open to find the misfire while the monitor waits to be enabled again.

 

If it was me, I would call the dealer and ask to speak with their service supervisor (master mechanic) and tell him what is going on. I would ask that they switch the coil pack from the offending cylinder to another one and see if it follows the coil pack and while they are at it, pull the spark plug and inspect it and look inside the cylinder with a borescope. If they refuse, call chrysler.

 

I would just replace the coil/plug and see what happens. They can not void your warranty for doing that. Coil and plugs are maintenance parts. Just like they can't void your warranty for changing an oil filter or replacing a battery.

 

It is your truck. Using mopar parts in no way void your warranty. Dodge would have to prove you did the install wrong. Like another poster said. Coil/plus is like replacing an air filter. Its general maintenance.

 

and changing a coil pack is stupid easy

 

Seems like they could temporarily install a data logger.

 

as the other guy said they should be doing something, thats covered under your 100k mile powertrain warranty. I would go up the chain and even a different dealership. The local dealers in MD are terrible and all @$$holes, where as the carolina dealers are much more easy going and willing to help. All depends on whose running the show